Prosecutors say the parents of a 4-month-old boy who died after being placed under a comforter at a New Jersey motel earlier this year have been charged with murder.

Burlington County prosecutors and state police say 42-year-old William Herring and 22-year-old Brianna Brochhausen are charged with murder and conspiracy. They were charged with child endangerment in March following the death of 4-month-old Hunter.

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Prosecutors said the child, named Hunter, "wouldn't stop crying" Feb. 14 at the Hilltop Motel in Springfield Township, where the family was living.

Herring and Brochhausen determined that the child needed to be placed in "timeout."

"He was positioned on his stomach on the bed, and the comforter was pulled over him, covering his head and entire body. The parents then went outside to smoke cigarettes, returning to the room approximately 10 minutes later, where they discovered that Hunter was not breathing and was unresponsive," police wrote in a report.

Hunter was taken to the hospital where he had minimal brain activity and required assistance to breathe. He died March 3 at a hospital.

“The thoughtless actions of these individuals ended up costing a defenseless 4-month-old infant his life,” said Col. Patrick J. Callahan, the New Jersey State Police Superintendent. “I commend the detectives of our Homicide South Unit and Criminal Investigation Office for their commitment and dedication to finding justice for Baby Hunter.”

Police have used the tragic case to remind parents that New Jersey has a Safe Haven Protection Act, a law which allows anyone to surrender a newborn baby at any hospital emergency room, police station, fire station, ambulance, first aid or rescue squad that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The responsibilities of becoming a new parent can sometimes be overwhelming,” Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “Those who find themselves at a point of crisis when caring for a newborn child should know that help is available, and they must seek that help rather than taking actions that might harm their child.”